Last week, the Banks County Parks and Recreation Department hosted a weeklong Zumba camp for 8-10-year-old boys and girls.
But the rec. camp wasn’t instructor Kelly Lindeman’s first rodeo. She has been a certified Zumba instructor since 2011 and has been teaching adult classes at the BCPRD gym for over a year now.

Lindeman believes Zumba can “make fitness fun,” by providing a non-contact exercise program that works for people of all ages, sizes, shapes and ability.
“You will find people from all walks of life at my classes,” said Lindeman. “People shouldn’t be afraid to come along and try. You don’t need any previous dance experience.”

Part of the reason Linderman is so confident in Zumba’s effectiveness is that she experienced it first hand.
“I was always overweight even as a child,” she said. “After I had my daughter I decided was the biggest I ever wanted to be so I decided to go to my first Zumba class. I was hooked.”

Within six months, Lindeman became an instructor and since then, she has lost a total of 90 pounds.
“I have loved every minute of it,” she added. “It has truly become a passion of mine.”

After teaching adult classes for some time, Lindeman decided to offer summer camps specifically for youth. The first camp occurred in early June and was for 6-8-year-old boys and girls, while last week’s camp was for the older age group.

“Thirty-two percent of children and adolescents in the United States are considered overweight or obese,” said Lindeman. “Starting our kids out early by learning that exercise can be fun is a great way help them. Using dance helps to develop a healthy lifestyle and incorporate fitness as a natural part of children’s life.”

Lindeman said her classes not only build physical fitness, but also incorporate key developmental elements such as leadership, respect, teamwork, confidence, self-esteem, memory, creativity, coordination and cultural awareness.

Kids camps are over for the summer, but Lindeman’s regular Monday, Tuesday and Thursday classes at the BCPRD are open to people of all ages. Classes are from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

“All fitness levels are welcome, from beginners to pro’s,” said Lindeman. “Your first class is free so you have nothing to lose but the pounds.”

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